Sinclair Community College Expands Course Options as More Students Discover Data Degrees

Sinclair Community College is introducing three new data courses as enrollment increases for data analytics degrees. The new courses are funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant and are designed to equip students with the skills they need to succeed as data analysts.   

Sinclair will launch the courses in Spring 2023 and include Intro to Data Literacy, Intro to Data Science, and Advanced Python for Data Analytics. Over the past three years, enrollment for Sinclair’s Data Analytics Associate of Applied Science has increased 160%. 

“This is another example of Sinclair Community College fulfilling its mission to find the need and endeavor to meet it by preparing more students for in-demand careers in data analytics,” said Paul Hansford, Associate Professor – Sinclair College Computer Science/Information Technology Department. “Every single industry from healthcare to manufacturing to business and beyond uses data and the need for skilled analysts has never been greater. Data literacy skills are critical for succeeding in the 21st century job market.”

Data literacy is the ability to read, write, communicate, and reason with data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data analyst-related jobs will see a 22% to 25% growth through the year 2030 with annual salaries ranging between $70,000 to $120,000. A 2022 survey by Tableau found that 82% of leaders expect all employees to have basic data literacy skills. According to Glassdoor, four out of the top 10 jobs in America require data skills.

Sinclair’s Computer Science and Information Technology Department currently offers more than 20 degrees and certificates designed to prepare students for rewarding, lucrative careers. In the past five years, Sinclair Community College has awarded nearly 2,300 computer information and data degrees and certificates.

“These new courses will strengthen Sinclair’s already robust offerings in computer science and data analytics,” added Hansford. “We are also encouraging high school IT and math teachers who are passionate about data analytics to enroll in the courses so that they can offer them at the high school level.”

For more information about Sinclair’s Computer Science and Information Technology degrees and certificates, visit Sinclair.edu/computer-information. To learn more about the new courses, contact Paul Hansford at paul.hansford@sinclair.edu.